Apodosis

In linguistics, an apodosis is the main clause in a conditional sentence; that is, in a sentence of the form "If X, then Y", the apodosis is "Y" (expressing the conclusion). The term is commonly contrasted with "protasis", which denotes the subordinate clause in such a construction; that is, in a sentence of the form "If X, then Y", the protasis is "X" (expressing the condition).

In logic, the apodosis corresponds to the consequent, the protasis to the antecedent.

In the liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church, an Apodosis is the final day of an Afterfeast.

Example in fiction

In the following example, apodosis was used in the text to show the reader, in a humorous way, two things: that there is a social or class different between the two characters, and that one of the characters has a high level of literacy and a precise and literal way of using words. Mr Goodwin had previously been introduced in the book as a poet. The personality of Miss Morning is shown by its contrast to that of Mr Goodwin.

Miss Morning chuckled. "That doesn't mean a thing Goodie. If all the guys I've called Poppa were laid end to end ..."

Mr Goodwin struck his forehead again and said, "Spare me. Spare me the apodosis."

"What's that?"

"Spare me the end of that sentence."

::- cite book |last= Millar |first= Margaret |authorlink= Margaret Millar |title= Fire will Freeze |date= 1987 |pages= 15|publisher= International Polygonics Ltd |location= New York City |isbn= 0930330595

ee also

* Conditional sentence
* Protasis (linguistics)